Holly woke up, her cat Dinah sat next to her. It was 7 pm so there was no chance that her parents were awake. And if they weren’t awake she had to wait, because it was her birthday. Every year on her birthday she had to pretend to sleep until her parents came in and began to sing ‘Happy Birthday’. This year wasn’t different, so she laid in bed and finished the book she started in the evening, until she heard her mum and dad whispering. She put the book away and pretended to sleep.
“3, 2, 1, let’s go,” Holly’s parents stepped in and began to sing “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Holly, happy birthday to you!” Mum hugged her and gave her a present. It was quite small and faceted. “Open it!”
She opened it. Inside there was a thick book. “Aww thank you, mum! I love books and especially fantasy books!” Holly smiled at her parents. She forgot how positive, fun and happy a birthday is.
“I have got you something for you too,” Her dad gave Holly a present. It was a lot smaller and it was soft.
“I wonder what is in there” Holly muttered while opening the package. “Oh, a scarf bookmark! You really think about everything! Thank you, both of you!” She hugged them once again and said that they can go downstairs now, she will dress up. But she didn’t dress up, instead, she started reading that new book her mum gave her.
While reading she cuddled her cats Dinah and Hazel, who was accidentally struck in the bathroom. “It’s my birthday today! Do you know what it means? Of course you do, cat’s are very smart. It means I am a year older!” She stroke the cats and concentrated on the book again. Somebody called her for breakfast. “Coming mum!” She yelled and closed the book.

*

It was evening. She put on mascara and tried not to mess it up. It didn’t work, because the doorbell rang and Holly jumped up. “Shit! The party is about to begin and I am not ready. I should not have read that book, now I’m late because of it!” She ran down the stairs and opened the door. “Hi! Oh, it’s you!”
It was her best friend Jessica. They hugged and ran upstairs. “I see you are not ready yet, but I can help you!”
Holly smiled. “Thanks, Jess, you are the best! But for makeup please don’t put any foundation, I want my freckles to be visible”
Jessica smirked. “No you are the best, today it’s your time to shine!” Jessica with her blonde almost straight hair, short height and a cool style was very popular in school and she had many friends, but only one she trusted the most, Holly of course. Today she wore nothing special, just casual jeans and a sweater to give all the attention to her bestie. Jessica brushed Holly’s brownish-gingerish wavy hair and fixed her makeup and eventually chose her outfit.
“Wow, I should use you as my personal… dressing assistant?” They laughed and walked downstairs. Jess took the muffins from the oven and decorated them with cute aesthetic mini flags.
“Where are your parents?” She asked curiously while eating a muffin.
“They are walking in the park or something, they always surprise me in the middle of the party.” Holly smiled again. They sat down on the sofa and started talking. “Wait, the party should begin but only we two are here, where is everybody?” The answer was in the room next to the living room.
“Hey, Holly!” “Happy birthday Holly” Everyone yelled when running out of the room. Almost all of her classmates were there, only those missed who were not able to come. And even Louisa, her penfriend from Spain was there! “Happy birthday!” Everyone hugged her and gave them presents and flowers.
“Ugh, it’s you.” A boy with brown curly hair said with a mean voice. Jessica ran to Holly and turned her around. “Ignore him.” She said watching deeply into her eyes.
“Ignoring is rude, didn’t you know?” The boy stood next to her. “Shut up, Marcus. You can’t ruin my bestie’s 14th birthday!” Jessica shouted and walked away as calmly as possible. “Your friend is quite temperamental, isn’t she?” Holly did not reply.
She sat down, on the carpet and asked Jess to give her all her presents and an empty bottle. Everyone who brought a present took theirs and waited. Holly spun the bottle. “Louisa” Louisa gives her present, Holly opened it.
“It’s a book! ‘The Angels from Hell’, seems interesting!” She spun the bottle once again.
“Jess!” Jessica gave a package to her. “Awww this pair of necklaces are so cute,” There were two avocados on each necklace and they fitted together. “You can take the one with the ‘heart’, then my heart is always with you!” They hugged.
“Love,” Marcus whispered and laughed silently. Holly almost broke in tears, it was so awkward and mean from him, to bully her on her own birthday! They were only friends and everyone knew it!
“It’s friendship. You don’t know anything about it, but it’s not a surprise. You don’t have any friends!” Jessica told him. The whole room was silent.
“Ahem, let’s move on!” Holly smiled to everyone and spun the bottle. “Martha” She took the big box from her. “Wow, a book series! Thanks a lot!” She smiled, hugged her and spun the bottle.
“Alex” He gave a package with no form. “Let’s see… Headphones, wow!” Holly hugged him. Marcus opened his mouth but closed it fast. Jessica stared at him. Holly spun the bottle.
“Rose” Rose gave her a book and a sketchbook. And so on. Most of the presents were books, because everyone knew that it’s something she likes a lot. And presents are usually things the birthday kid should like.
“Now it’s time for the cake!” Holly’s dad told them. Everyone sat down. Holly’s mum came in with the cake. It was white and decorated with berries. There were exactly 14 candles on the cake, everything was perfect! All guests sang ‘Happy Birthday’. It was finally time to blow out the candles. She took a deep breath and blew. Oh, she had to wish something! She forgot to think about it!
“I wish that I could travel in books,” She thought. Later while eating cake she noticed how silly this wish was. But the wishes never ACTUALLY come true, so it’s fine to make a very odd wish.
Sometime later they played ‘Truth or Dare’. Holly was dared to text her History teacher “How much do I have to pay for an A in the next Test?” Of course, she was allowed to tell the teacher that it was a dare, but later to not ruin the fun.
Jessica had to tell everyone her biggest secret. “I have 5 accounts on TikTok to like my own videos on the account everyone knows…” Everyone laughed at that one, but Holly was sure this wasn't actually her biggest secret, she had a feeling that she lied, but it’s okay. Some people don’t like to tell awkward things in front of everyone.
Marcus had to mix Ketchup, Nutella, Pesto and Maple syrup together and eat it. After tasting it he ran to the bathroom as fast as he could, and everyone heard spitting sounds. This looked very gross, but he deserved it.
After the party, Jess was allowed to stay at Holly’s place overnight. They made face masks, ate some snacks and dyed their hair with some permanent hair colour. They were up until late night chatting and telling jokes. Finally they fell asleep.